Amit Shah Visits Chennai Today to Confer with AIADMK Leaders
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Synopsis
Amit Shah's visit to Chennai marks crucial talks to revive BJP's alliance with AIADMK ahead of the pivotal 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Discussions with key party leaders may reshape the political landscape in the state.
Key Takeaways
- Amit Shah's visit to Chennai aims to restore BJP-AIADMK alliance.
- Key discussions with Edappadi K. Palaniswami and senior leaders.
- Alliance breakdown attributed to controversial statements by K. Annamalai.
- Political observers keenly watch for potential reconciliation.
- Urgency emphasized for formalizing alliance ahead of elections.
Chennai, April 11 (NationPress) Union Home Minister Amit Shah landed in Chennai during the early hours of Friday for crucial discussions focused on revitalizing the BJP's partnership with the AIADMK in preparation for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
Upon arrival at the Chennai airport, HM Shah was welcomed by BJP Tamil Nadu state president K. Annamalai, Union Minister of State L. Murugan, and senior leaders Tamilisai Soundararajan, Nainar Nagendran, and Pon Radhakrishnan.
Amit Shah is anticipated to speak to the press at a private hotel in Guindy around noon.
Sources indicate that Shah, serving as the BJP's primary strategist, will engage with AIADMK General Secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), along with other senior members of the Dravidian party. These discussions are expected to play a pivotal role in reestablishing the alliance.
During his stay, HM Shah will also participate in several high-level meetings with leaders from both the BJP and the RSS.
Among the notable individuals he is likely to meet is S. Gurumurthy, a prominent RSS ideologue and Editor of 'Thuglak' magazine. This visit follows Shah’s recent meeting with EPS in New Delhi, where EPS was accompanied by senior AIADMK leaders and former ministers S.P. Velumani and K.P. Munusamy, raising significant speculation about a potential reunion between the two parties.
The BJP-AIADMK alliance, which had remained intact for years, disbanded in September 2023. This split was primarily triggered by contentious remarks made by K. Annamalai against revered Dravidian icons such as C.N. Annadurai (Anna) and J. Jayalalithaa. These comments caused considerable discontent among AIADMK leaders, leading to the alliance's collapse. Notably, the alliance had achieved substantial success in the 2021 Assembly elections, with BJP securing four seats and AIADMK winning 66. However, relations soured after Annamalai assumed the role of state BJP president.
The repercussions of the split were evident in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where both parties experienced significant losses. Acknowledging the political void in Tamil Nadu, several senior RSS leaders have urged the BJP central command to mend relations with a major Dravidian party, identifying AIADMK as the only feasible option, while regarding DMK as a political rival.
Insiders reveal that these RSS officials have stressed the importance of formalizing any alliance well ahead of the 2026 elections to allow ample time for grassroots coordination and campaign strategies.
AIADMK leaders have also communicated that EPS has requested HM Shah to contemplate replacing Annamalai as the BJP’s state president to facilitate better relations. In a noteworthy turn of events, Annamalai declared on April 4 that he does not intend to seek any position and will continue to contribute to the party as a dedicated member.
As HM Shah’s visit progresses, political analysts across Tamil Nadu are keenly observing whether the BJP and AIADMK can reconcile their past grievances and establish a new alliance ahead of the forthcoming major election.
